By Kevin Ferrisi –
The cultural phenomenon known as RuPaul’s Drag Race has provided a solid platform for the drag community to grow and become more known, which has helped change the narrative surrounding the art form. In recent years, as a result, there has been an increase in representation here in state with more and more local news programs inviting drag performers into the studio and onto the air, broadcasting into the homes of the average demographic all throughout Connecticut, to families that wouldn’t normally be exposed to the drag culture.
Local artists like Natalia Fierce, Kenya Mone Heart and Hella Swagg, just to name a few, have appeared on local news shows in the recent past. This new year is off to a great start for drag representation as Connecticut’s own drag celebrity, Mia E. Z’Lay, recently appeared on the local news show, NBC’s CT Live with Taylor Kinzler. CT Live, just recently inviting Robin Fierce onto the show right before Thanksgiving, continues to provide a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to be able to freely express themselves and be represented.
On CT Live, Mia spoke about the importance of representation and visibility and how there is a variety of drag styles beyond what the mainstream culture has glorified. She says, “The first and foremost thing is that there are so many different types of drag and different drag styles out there. It’s not just this idea of the one type of drag that you see on stage or that it just comes from a male cisgender doing drag.” Mia tells Taylor, “There are so many different styles of drag. There are drag queens, drag kings, so many different types of drag entertainers and drag is not just for one specific type of person. Its for any and everyone. It does not matter what gender you’re born as, what size you are, or what you look like.”
As mother of the House of Lay, Mia is matriarch to her drag children, local artists Flaminia, Ambrosia Black, Rory Roux Lay and Perry Winkle, along with her grandchildren Arya Black and Felicity V. Lay. Mia has been doing drag for 11 years, curating the only drag artist-owned and operated business in Connecticut for 6 years, and provides a safe space for drag entertainers of all kinds to perform and entertain, creating financial opportunities. House of Lay Entertainment organizes drag events throughout the greater Hartford area such as the highly acclaimed bi-annual 10 week drag competition, Chez Legends, or the largest drag event in the state, the Trans Lifeline Benefit, that raises money for the national non-profit, Trans Lifeline.
Seeing drag queens in various forms of media, such as television shows, movies or live performances, provides LGBTQ+ youth with positive representation and visibility that they can relate to. Taylor commented how being able to be seen and feel seen is so vital. Mia tells us, “I feel like, for myself, growing up as someone in the 90s, it’s hard to be able to see those outlets. Now, you see a lot of drag on TV. But, sometimes you don’t see the drag that represents you or the things you want to see. So, it’s very important to be able to have different types of entertainers, different types of people. Somebody out there might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but someone out there looking at this is going ‘I resonate with this, this makes me feel comfortable’ and I think that is the important part for drag, is the visibility as queer people.”
Drag queens have emerged as powerful symbols of self-expression, creativity and empowerment in the world and have played a significant role in challenging societal norms, promoting inclusivity, and fostering a sense of belonging. Today, in many states, this beloved and essential art’s very existence is in danger. We must fight back against bans violating basic rights like freedom of expression. After all, drag has always been an integral part of the LGBTQ+ community. Mia’s presence on mainstream news is helping to change the narrative because drag queens have unfortunately had a negative stigma placed around their community.
You can catch Mia on January 20th for her birthday celebration show called Creature Feature at the Chez Est in Hartford, CT, with special guest Violencia! from Dragula. You’ll find her every week at the Chez Est on Thursday for Open Stage and at Mohegan Sun for Lipstick, Lashes and Lies on Friday and Sunday at select shows. You can also attend her brunches at various locations all throughout the state. Visit, follow and like her Facebook page to stay informed of all of her upcoming shows.
Watch Mia’s interview from NBC’s CT Live with Taylor Kinzler below, aired on January 2, 2024.
Source: NBC CT Live
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